In the wake of the #MeToo movement, more professions are reporting cases of sexual harassment. In a recent survey of political consultants by Campaign and Elections magazine, about 26 percent said they thought sexual harassment was more common in the political consultant arena than other industries. In that same survey, 54 percent of women stated they would characterize the industry as a hostile work environment. About 30 percent of the men surveyed felt the same way.
Overall, in the political consultant industry, about 46 percent of females reported being sexually harassed in some form while working in the industry. About 44 percent of respondents said that they witnessed or encountered sexual harassment themselves and 59 percent of all male and female respondents said that sexual harassment is at least somewhat common in the industry.
Survey Reveals Split Among Political Parties
The survey also revealed that more Republican political consultants believe there is less sexual harassment in the industry, whereas Democrats felt there was more sexual harassment happening in the industry. Most importantly, about 48 percent of females in the industry reported that either sexism or racism prevented them from keeping or receiving a job they were qualified for.
Effects of Sexism and Racism
In the same survey, about 48 percent of political consultants stated that they had either witnessed or encountered racism while working on campaigns. Surprisingly enough, about 33 percent of the professionals surveyed said that perceptions of the political industry prevent more people of color from entering the industry.
When organizations fail to solve the problem of pervasive harassment, permanent damage to the talent and diversity in an industry can occur. Some people may be under the false pretense that discrimination and harassment does not occur in professional environments, but that is a misconception. When an employee complains about sexual harassment or discrimination, there are specific protections for employees. If you believe your rights have been violated, it is in your best interest to consult a sexual harassment lawyer.
Delaware County Sexual Harassment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Help Victims of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Discrimination and sexual harassment at work occur in many different forms, including retaliation. If you experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace, the Delaware County sexual harassment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. can evaluate your situation and provide advice for the next steps. Call us today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.
